The Lord of the Clans (23 page)

Remembering Cameron’s money was in her pockets, she took out enough coins to satisfy all the children.

“Thank you for watching over our horses.”

Although awed by her size and deep voice, they managed to grab a coin each. She felt like grinning as their gazes glittered with wonder. Before they scattered out, she turned to the special child who shouldn’t have seen the light of the next day.

“And thanks to you, Colin. It will not go untold that the Lord of the Clans met a very brave boy today.”

Jaws dropped. Astonished eyes and gasps met her words as she revealed her identity. Oh, she loved acting this way! Judging by the stunned look on their faces, she felt certain Colin had just become the group’s new leader and hero. He deserved this compensation after the pain and terror he’d gone through.

Quick to recover from the honour she bestowed upon him, Colin came to stand in front of her and bowed.

“I won’t forget you, my lord.”

His young face displaying his emotion, he then turned toward Cameron and took hold of his hand.

“Nor you, my lady.”

Trying not to smile at the children’s awestruck expressions, she got on her horse before waving them away.

“Off you go now. Go home and be good.”

With a last look at the strangers they ran outside, Colin in the lead. Cameron mounted his steed before winking at her.

“Nice work. I can’t think of anyone better suited than you to be me.”

She appreciated his praise. Coming from him, the compliment had to be cherished and remembered, especially since he let her lead the way out of the town. He came abreast by the time they skirted the settlement and started riding along a beaten path. The glare of the sun made her squint.

“Do you know where we are?”

“Yes. Hang
on,
the place I’m thinking of is close by.”

A short while later, he directed the horses through a thick set range of trees.
She ducked to avoid a low branch. On the other side, she discovered with delight a beautiful lake bordered by dense vegetation.

They paced along the pebbled shore to one end of the lake until the bank diminished to the size of a narrow trail. Following his lead, she dismounted and used the bridle to pull her horse.

They didn’t walk long through the underbrush, and when they emerged, she marvelled at the beauty of the landscape. Branching off from the main pond, a stream flowed into a shallow body of water. She felt like diving right into its blue depths as she stared at the glittering lagoon bathed in sunshine.

“It’s marvellous. I love this place.”

“It’s called the Dormant Lagoon. I heard about this lake a long time ago, but with the war going on, I never had the opportunity to come this far north.”

He went to tie the horses to the nearest trees behind her while she finally flung off her sword and heavy coat before enjoying the wonderful scenery. Vaguely listening to the sounds he made, she let her gaze wander over the smooth, blue waters mirroring the surrounding vegetation.

When he didn’t join her, she glanced over her shoulder to find him standing behind her, a grin on his face, fists on his hips, and completely naked.

Chapter Thirty-Three

The unexpected vision of her bare body made her stumble. She wasn’t yet used to looking at her own face whenever he spoke but this... Why, dear Gods, why, did he have to strip at every turn? Granted, he could do whatever he well pleased with his manly body, but not so with hers. What about modesty? Before she could open her mouth, his soft chuckle derailed her irritated train of thought.

“Oh, don’t give me this shocked look. You’ve seen yourself naked before.”

He really had no clue as to the workings of a woman's mind. She took a step toward him, finger raised.

“I will not tolerate this kind of behaviour. How can you disgrace me so?”

Taking on a feigned shameful expression, he glanced around as if they were surrounded by a large crowd of observers.

“Hail, all of you good people. Look at me, I’m all naked.”

Then he extended his arms and quickly swayed his shoulders forward and backward to shake his breasts. Open-mouthed, she watched his boobs wriggle and twist from the motion he had set. The fun light in his eyes ticked her off even more than his ridiculous, un-comely behaviour.

“Stop this.”

“Why? You have such beautiful, exciting breasts. It would be a waste not to show them, or touch them. Like so...”

He ceased his bouncing. Air left her lungs as he cupped his mounds to take hold of his nipples. He began twirling them and, just by watching the slow rotations, she could feel the gentleness of his fingers. Despite the strange sensation falling over her, she had no intention of letting him fiddle with what belonged to her. Her boots scrunched on the pebbles as she narrowed her eyes.

“I forbid you to play with my body.”

His boisterous laugh grated on her nerves, yet she felt compelled to stare at his fingers stroking his erect nipples.

“I don’t think so, because, you see, this feels kind of good.”

“If you don’t cut it out, I’ll make you.”

“How?”

Very easily.
She had his body now, his big muscles, his strength, and nothing could prevent her from restraining him. She didn’t have to, as he dropped his hands and strode past her toward the lagoon.

“Come on, Ariana, let’s enjoy this place.”

“You can be so childish at times.”

Although she was only able to see his back as he reached the shore, she felt certain the teasing grin hadn’t left his face.

“In that case, I’m a hot child in need of refreshing.”

He entered the water without glancing back, intent on having a good time. Fully dressed, heavy boots constricting her feet, she pursed her lips at the sight of her former body wading into the pool.

The early afternoon mildness bore down on her while she recalled suffering from the heat almost all morning. She’d been the one complaining about the weather after all, and he had been considerate enough to take her to this cool, secluded spot. She might as well use the opportunity.

Pushing away all consideration of modesty, she began undressing while he swam toward the middle of the lagoon. Her clothes fell one by one until she stood naked in the warmth of the glorious sun.

Just being in the nude refreshed her, especially when a mild breeze gently tickled her limbs. She took a few steps toward the glittering pool while he
dove
head-first into the waters.
 
As soon as she started walking, her balls swayed and her penis bobbed, driven by the movement of her legs. How did men put up with these dangling pieces of flesh and uncomfortable motions?

Still, she resisted the urge to cup her genitals and, instead, closed the remaining distance crab-like. Then she saw him break the surface, droplets running down his veiled face. He brushed back the mass of his hair to look at her and his eyes widened a little as she reached the edge of the small lake.

“By the Mighty Gods, I’m a damn handsome man.”

His smug grin and vivid expression of self-satisfaction twisted her insides, but he didn’t seem to notice her peeved wince as he carried on studying himself from neck to toe.
Especially his private parts.

“No wonder you’re so desperately attracted to me.”

At some point, she’d have to get her hands around his neck and strangle him, or wipe off the smirk that didn’t suit her personality but distorted the face she had lost. Maybe she would tie him up and gag him so she could enjoy a moment of peace, a valuable instant without hearing his constant sarcastic remarks.

She chose to ignore him. Chin
up,
she waded into the shallow pool until the water covered her shoulders. She felt the sun on her cheeks, the glistening liquid closing in around her and she let herself float. Oddly enough, life didn’t seem so real from down here, and her future not so tenebrous. Then she shut her eyes in a hurry as something pulled her down from below.

She coughed as she emerged, blind, nose and throat burning from lack of air. Spitting water, she was welcomed by his annoying laugh while she rubbed her lids and attempted to focus.

“What’s with you, Cameron? Are you trying to kill me now?”

He giggled like she used to when something struck her as particularly funny. He might have been robbed of his lordship but, even as a woman of pure magic, he retained the tendency to savour frivolous games.

“Oh, don’t be such a stuffed pelt. Here, take this.”

With a large grin on his face, he splashed her. She’d seen it coming this time, and her swift response took him by surprise. Drenched by her spattering, he spat water out while she moved out of his reach. She had bigger arms and hands now, and she could drown him in a wink. Somehow, he didn’t seem to care.

Swimming faster than a fish, he pounced on her. She lost her balance as he grabbed her shoulders from behind to bring her down. His will to dominate was so strong that, in spite of her giant size and bulging muscles, she went down like a dead weight. How in the Creators' names did he achieve that? He let go as soon as her head plunged underwater, and she kicked the bottom to bounce upwards.

Lungs itching with lack of air, she wiped her face before glaring at him. He stood in front of her, long hair concealing his shoulders and the top of his cleavage, a satisfied grin playing on his lips.

“Ha, ha, I got you. So, who’s stronger?”

His good-humoured taunting finally brought out her smile. Strange as it was to look at her own face and listen to her own voice, she was becoming used to this peculiar fact.
Probably because he now inhabited her body.

Funnily enough, she didn’t really see herself every time he moved or talked as much as she perceived him. What would her shaman have to say to that?

“I guess you win.”

He winked at her. She kept on smiling, but planted her feet firmly in the bottom of the lagoon and waited until he turned round. When he did, she tackled him with all her might to heave him underwater. She had no idea how many pounds she weighed, but he went down in a wink. Before he could regain control of himself and retaliate, she swam, scrambled, and ran to the shore.

She glanced back as soon as her feet touched solid ground. As her balls and penis still swung from her mad dash, she watched him trying to catch up with her, but the rivulets of water dropping over his face impeded his advance. Good for her. Yet she took a few careful steps back when she saw his breasts break the surface of the pool. He stood up to walk the rest of the way.

Did he view her stunt as funny or was he angry at her? She couldn’t tell as his impassive face didn’t betray any emotion. He simply came toward her in no particular hurry, his wet body reflecting the sun’s heat.

She stared at him. His skin shone golden, along with his long hair that captured beams of light. His round breasts perked up and followed the rhythm of his walk, nipples stiff from their stay in the water. While his curvy hips swayed with each step, so did his glistening, curly bush.

And something happened to her.

Her mouth dried up. As she gaped at his beautiful appearance, an odd, warm feeling spread through her, and her body hardened. She had to break eye contact with him. She had to look down.

The long dick attached to her groin had gone from flaccid to wide awake. Its head pointed to the naked woman coming forth from the lagoon, and its shaft thickened to a startling growth. Mind blank, breaths coming in quick succession, she watched the unsettling protuberance.

“Dear Creators, what’s going on?”

His burst of laughter disturbed her concentration. She glanced up to find him standing close by with a pleased expression on his face.

“You desire me.”

“No, I don’t.”

“As you wish.
But tell me then, why do you think men get erections?”

“Because they...”

Her deep voice trailed off. In spite of her total disbelief, she couldn’t deny the length and stiffness of her dick. Yet having the proof right in front of her eyes didn’t make the situation right.

“It can’t be. I’m not really a man.”

“But like it or not, you’re in my body now, and my blood runs through your veins. I guess you should know that I tend to react to a beautiful woman like you, especially when she’s naked.”

She needed air. It was bad enough to have to walk around with a penis and a pair of nuts between her legs, but this unsought and uncontrollable erection topped it all. She glared at him while breathing through clenched teeth.

“Make it stop.”

“I can’t.”

He grinned and chuckled right before he made a motion as though he was tipping an invisible hat.

“But good luck with that.”

Her hard-on didn’t seem to abate as her gaze travelled from his sparkling eyes to his arousing mouth. Shaking her head in a denial gesture, she closed her eyes to shut out the obvious sight of his amusement.

“Cameron, this isn’t funny. What can I do?”

“I’d suggest you wait. It will pass with a little time...
Unless, of course, you might want to act on it.”

Wasn’t that helpful and at the heart of the matter? Lids flying open, she shot him a furious look.

“Is that all you have to say? That’s the extent of your help?”

“Come to think of it, I believe I could get dressed.”

“Do it then. What are you waiting for?”

“Yes, my lord.
Right away, my lord.”

His mischievous grin fuelled her ever growing annoyance. As he sauntered away and picked up his clothes, she realised her irritation tampered with the desire she refused to feel. She looked like a man, but she'd never be one.

A surge of anger coursed through her and she latched onto her testiness while also going to fetch her garments. By the time she put on her shirt, pants, and boots, her erection had dwindled to the size of a manageable lump.

He spread the non-ripped blanket onto a stretch of dry pebbles, and took out some of the food bought at the marketplace. She came to sit next to him while a loud noise stirred within her stomach. Although hungry, her unexpected arousal still nagged at her mind and she wondered about his feelings as she took the piece of bread he handed her.

“Do you also feel desire for me? I mean, with the warrior way I look now.”

“The thing is
,
I don’t really see myself when I look at you. I did at first, but it’s more or less gone. Most of the time, the only person I see now
is
you. So to answer your question, I think I wouldn’t put it past me.”

Well, she got her answer, didn't she? Even though she shared his opinion on how they viewed each other, the idea of being aroused by her own body didn’t sit well with her. Nor ever would. Belly rumbling, she bit into her chunk of bread instead of dwelling on this perturbing matter.

The sun beat down on them, clouds drifted on the horizon, and the blue and almost green waters of the lagoon rippled lazily under the mild breeze. She admired the breath taking scenery while eating. As her new stomach needed more food to feel full, she took longer than him to finish her meal.

He efficiently packed up a few stray items, checked their swords, fed the horses, and tied his cloak and her coat onto their backs before letting them amble toward the lagoon to assuage their thirst.